GenArt's New Global Division Touches Down in Nairobi

GenArt, the incubator that nurtures up-and-coming new designers (and helped launch the careers of Zac Posen and Phillip Lim, among others), is in expansion mode. After a two year hiatus in which the organization lost its funding, then subsequently found new owners and a much-needed cash infusion, GenArt is looking for talent outside the US.

GenArt, the incubator that nurtures up-and-coming new designers (and helped launch the careers of Zac Posen and Phillip Lim, among others), is in expansion mode. After a two year hiatus in which the organization lost its funding, then subsequently found new owners and a much-needed cash infusion, GenArt is looking for talent outside the US.

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GenArt, the incubator that nurtures up-and-coming new designers (and helped launch the careers of Zac Posen and Phillip Lim, among others), is in expansion mode. After a two year hiatus in which the organization lost its funding, then subsequently found new owners and a much-needed cash infusion, GenArt is looking for talent outside the US.

"GenArt Global aims to be the ultimate connector between cultures, visionaries, artists, philanthropists and entrepreneurs," GenArt Global Director Martine Bury said. The initiative plans to focus on charity and conservation in the markets it scouts, as well as looking for talent. To that end, the trip to Nairobi included a clothes donation (courtesy of Alternative Apparel) to an orphanage and a fashion show featuring seven emerging African designers: Adele Dejak,Lalesso, Bella MATATA, Katungulu Mwendwa, Nike Kondakis, Modahnik and Aryam Designs. Two of these designers will travel to NYC to show at New York Fashion Week for the GenArt Fresh Faces fashion show. Former Entourage star Emmanuelle Chriqui and Israeli actress Noa Tishby went on the trip as well, as part of a mission to connect emerging markets with "entrepreneurs, influencers, and media." Chriqui said she was particularly taken with Katungulu Mwendwa's designs which she found to be "New York cool and very wearable."

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The organization is planning future trips to China, Brazil, Australia and other regions of Africa. Click through to see more pictures from the show and visit.

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Gen Art, that incubator of new design responsible for launching the careers of Zac Posen and Philip Lim, has been sorely missed the past two years while it's been on hiatus to deal with financial troubles. Now under new ownership, the organization has trained its eagle eye on a new cadre of up-and-coming designers.
Gen Art is going to spotlight six ready-to-wear designers, one men's wear designer, and four accessory designers. Ace & Jig, Ann Yee, Eighteenth, Jennifer Chun, Shunghee Bang, William Okpo, and Baron Wells will make their runway debut at New York Fashion week, WWD is reporting.

You've probably heard that Gen Art--the beloved arts organization dedicated to showcasing the talents of emerging artists, musicians, filmmakers and designers--was revived this week under new leadership. Sandow Media acquired the arts organization, installing Gen Art vets Elizabeth Shaffer and Jeffrey Abramson as co-presidents.
And with the revival of Gen Art comes the revival of Fresh Faces in Fashion, the program which famously launched the careers of Zac Posen, Phillip Lim and Vena Cava (to name a few). Except this go round, Gen Art plans to put more effort into nurturing the talented designers they take on beyond giving them a runway show.
"At the former Gen Art, once we made the intro and showcased designers, we let them go on their way," said co-president Elizabeth Shaffer. "Now we’re developing a relationship so we stay connected and offer services beyond their debut--ranging from licensing to representation."